Results 18,021-18,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: We can build such an Ireland, that is capable of meeting our ambitions for our children and their future in this country. I remain open to the possibility of a broad measure of agreement on the details of a pathway to recovery and am very open to hearing and acting on sound proposals that may be aired in this debate. However, I stand before the House in the full knowledge of my own...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (27 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Civil Service grades in my Department is set out in the following tables. The tables are based on head count and not whole time equivalents. The actual number of staff in my Department (WTE) has reduced by 26 since January, 2008 to date. The estimated net saving in 2010 accruing from the total reduction in staff levels in my...

Written Answers — Cabinet Committees: Cabinet Committees (27 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet Committee on Strategic Directions for the Future of Local Government was set up on 13 January 2010 and has met some 16 times since.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The composition of the National Economic and Social Development Office, as set out in the National Economic and Social Development Act 2006, consists of the chairpersons and deputy chairperson of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP). Following the dissolution of the NESF and...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The annual estimate provision for each of the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 2009 and 2010 are detailed in the following table: Agency 2006(in '000) 2007(in '000) 2008(in '000) 2009(in '000) 2010(in '000) Central Statistics Office € 84,761 € 54,900 € 51,130 € 53,640 € 57,832 NESDO € 5,039 € 6,053 € 6,500 € 5,059 € 3,332

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the National Security Committee, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose information about the dates of its meetings or its proceedings. The committee, which is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, comprises representatives at the highest level from the Departments of Justice and Law Reform, Defence and Foreign...

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated earlier, due to the nature of the committee's meetings, it is not appropriate to disclose the information concerning its meetings or any of its proceedings. This is a matter to be directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs who has responsibility for the Passport Office. There has been a debate in the House on the specific instances referred to by the Deputy. Clearly this is...

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The gardaí are well aware of the international situation and the threat level involved. They are maintaining contacts with their international counterparts in this regard. The Government is determined to continue to take all necessary measures to deal with international terrorism. It will play a full part in the international efforts to counteract the threat. As regards the specific issue...

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand that report has come to hand recently, is being considered by Government and will be published in due course. Regarding the earlier point about dissident threats, as the Deputy has suggested there is unanimous support in the House for full co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, and the Garda Síochána in these matters. The Chief Constable of the...

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the third question, as the Deputy is aware these are operational matters. The Commissioner deploys resources as required and he does not communicate on an ongoing basis as to what resources are being deployed for obvious reasons and for fear that people might regard that as increasing the possibility of abduction or the possibility of being found to be doing things they should not...

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not specifically aware there has been ministerial contact in recent days in respect of what happened but there has been official contact. Reviews are immediately put in place when something as serious as this happens. There are procedures and protocols under various international conventions. These kick in very quickly in light of the sensitivity of the aviation industry to issues...

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not the practice of the national security committee to discuss operational matters. The committee only deals with the question generally of what needs to be done with an issue that arises and what liaison is taking place. It is not a question of getting into detail about policy implementation on civilianisation and matters of that nature.

National Security Committee (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in a previous reply, the assessment is that the threat of the use of Ireland for such purposes is regarded as low but that is not to say there is a sense of complacency or that there is not activity in surveillance and monitoring.

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 4 together. Of the 159 civil servants currently serving in my Department, 23 have applied through the central applications facility, CAF, to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The breakdown by grade is: assistant principal, seven; higher executive officer, three; administrative officer, two; executive officer, three; staff officer, one;...

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The 23 staff members who have applied to be decentralised from my Department have applied to the following Departments and agencies, the Department of Social Protection, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Defence, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Finance, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture,...

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The fact is that decentralisation to Trim has taken place. Nos. 50 and 51 on St. Stephen's Green have been vacated, as I understand it. That is the up-to-date position. In respect of-----

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is a voluntary scheme, as the Deputy knows. There is no coercion involved. First of all, I welcome the Deputy's support for the decentralisation programme. That was not the position of his former finance spokesperson, but they did not agree on everything. Regarding the situation of the transfer of places, we made the decision last year about deferring relocation in 35 cases - about 5,000...

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The simple point I will make to the Deputy is that detailed questions on specific sites or issues should definitely be dealt with by the Department of Finance, which has overall charge. I make the general point that the disposal of properties in Dublin at that time brought to the Exchequer a sum of the order of €550 million which greatly exceeds any costs incurred elsewhere. I make that...

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy knows, that review is due to be considered and completed in 2011. The current priority in the programme is to effect the decentralisation of those proposals which have been approved and are going ahead. I gave broad figures and have some supplementary information to the effect that 3,153 people have moved, with 5,000 positions subject to review. I do not have the numbers for...

Decentralisation Programme (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that level of detailed information, and it would be best to ask the Department of Finance. I am just giving the Deputy the information I have. Of the 3,180 staff who have been unable to move to various locations across the country, some 2,200 have been to various locations which are not the gateway and hub towns. The remaining 900 have relocated to gateways and hubs, and have...